The Bonner Leaders Program is a four-year scholarship program that supports a strong team of students working to bring about positive community change through service, research, and action.

What is a Bonner Leader?

Bonner Leaders live and breathe service. As the only university in Maryland with a Bonner program, NDMU develops Bonner Leaders to build close relationships with non-profit community partners and immerse themselves in the reality of the population they serve.

Bonners start by learning the strengths and needs of the non-profit before gradually increasing their role and responsibilities to tackle various social issues. Service is designed to align with academic goals and career aspirations so that Bonners will graduate with resume-boosting skills, knowledge, and experience.

Over the course of four years, the role of Bonner Leaders evolves in the following ways:

Direct Service

Education and Reflection

Service Leadership

Capacity-Building/Social Action

Bonner Commitment

All students are required to:

Volunteer for 300 hours a year (150 hours per semester)

Attend two hours of personal, professional and/or leadership training per week on topics such as time management, conflict resolution, poverty reduction, and education reform

Maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA each semester

Attend orientation and all Bonner meetings

Qualifications

Preference is given to Freshmen

Must exhibit a dedication to service

Must be admitted into Notre Dame

Must be a resident student with Pell eligibility

Award

Students are paid $10/hr for the first 170 hours and $6,000 toward housing expenses.